More than 13 years ago, Compton-based rapper David Blake's third album "Safe + Sound" was one of many that resonated with hip-hop fans during the popularity peak of California-based "West Coast gangsta rap" music. On the album's featured track, Blake, better known as D.J. Quik, spoke about the perils of growing up on the streets of Compton's west side and how money was his safe haven against deceiving friends, religious misconceptions and against the false pretenses of love and happiness made by materialistic women.For D.J. Quik, and those with similar experiences to the ones described in his lyrics, money was the key in staying grounded and yet progressing. In the case of 2008 EA SPORTS Boys Basketball National Player of the Year Brandon Jennings, it's not money. For the 6-foot-1 point guard from Virginia's Oak Hill Academy it's family and, more specifically, a place he can call home.

With his boyish looks, outgoing personality and his basketball skills, the 17-year old Jennings is an attention magnet wherever he goes. Jennings has adoring female fans that try to meet him through his MySpace page. He also has complete strangers calling his cell phone that he has no idea how they got the number. That attention is only heightened because he played two seasons for the nation's most well-known high school basketball program located in the Appalachian Mountains of Southwest Virginia.

Dominguez coach Russell Otis brought along Jennings the same way coach Curran did the former Georgia Tech All-American, but the Dons' heralded freshman had his coming out party against cross-town Centennial at the California Hoop Challenge in January of 2005. The 6-foot freshman made key plays down the stretch, including the game-winning three-pointer with one second remaining in a 57-54 victory.

"He's the real deal with a capital D," Otis remarked in the locker room after the game. "He's a special player."

The Hub City buzzed over Jennings and fellow freshman standout Demar DeRozan of Compton High School. Dominguez advanced to the CIF SoCal Div. II Regional title game and by the end of the season, Jennings was arguably the best player on a 26-6 team. Both he and his friend DeRozan were named to the Student Sports All-American Underclass team and Jennings was named state freshman of the year by CalHiSports.com.

Although Dominguez had a similar record (25-6) during Jennings' sophomore season, they were clearly not one of California's best teams. In fact, they were routed in national games against O.J. Mayo-led North College Hill of Cincinnati, Ohio (91-57) and St. Patrick's of Elizabeth, New Jersey (84-56), led by 2007 EA SPORTS All-American Corey Fisher. Individually Jennings had a solid season, but CalHiSports.com named Drew Gordon of San Jose Mitty state sophomore of the year.

Even worse, he was getting some of the flack for Dominguez not making its usual deep run in the state tournament and for not progressing as the other top players in the Class of 2008 were. He did not make the Student Sports All-American Underclass team.

Moves had been made in the past to put Jennings in the best possible situation and another was made that spring as he was off to "The Hill."

At the famous boarding school in Virginia, basketball players have almost no choice but to focus on academics and integrate their individual games to fit Oak Hill's team philosophy. If they don't accomplish both tasks, they probably won't last in the program. Luckily for those student-athletes, besides hanging out or saying hello to Mrs. K at the Alumni Campus Store or making the 13-mile trek to Ciro's Restaurant in Independence, there is not much to do besides hit the books and the court. After an early-season suspension by Smith, Jennings started working on and off the court in the fashion the coach looked for and that his mother approved of after she sent him some 2,500 miles from his home base in Gardena.

Playing alongside EA SPORTS All-American Nolan Smith and Roundball Classic participant Alex Legion in a three-guard attack, Jennings shined although still demonstrative on the court at times. He was visibly upset at the end of Oak Hill's nationally-televised 78-75 loss to EA SPORTS All-American Derrick Rose and his team at Simeon of Chicago. According to Yerrick Stoneman, an assistant coach and teacher at Oak Hill between 1995 and 2007, Jennings on-court demeanor is often misconstrued by those that don't know him.

"People see him talkin' trash or getting upset, but he just wants that extra edge out there," Stoneman explained. "He's so competitive on the court, but off the court, he is so nice to hang out with. B (Brandon) as a person is great."

That game in Chicago was the only one Oak Hill lost during the 2006-2007 season, as the Warriors rolled to a 40-1 record against a national schedule. Jennings finished the season with averages of 15 points and 11 assists per game. He earned second team EA SPORTS All-American honors in the process, as Smith's club finished No. 1 in the Rivals.com FAB 50 and won mythical national title number six.

Jennings wasn't finished winning that year, either, as he followed up his fine junior season at Oak Hill by helping his new AAU team win a championship. Jennings sent the championship game into overtime with a three-pointer in the closing seconds. He was the lead guard on two different championship teams at Reebok-produced Las Vegas events in back-to-back summers.

After a long basketball season, Jennings was ready to spend some time with friends and family at the end of the summer.

Postscript: The next day, Brandon Jennings boarded a plane headed back to Oak Hill Academy for his senior season. For the second consecutive season, he planned to be in a three-guard attack with two-guard Willie Warren of Texas replacing Nolan Smith and long-time friend Malik Story replacing Legion. Before the season began, Warren left back to North Crowley High in Ft. Worth and Story did not finish the season with the Warriors. For the first time since the 2002-03 season, Oak Hill finished a season with four losses, compiling a 34-4 record and finishing No. 6 in the final Rivals.com FAB 50 rankings. Jennings' former school, Dominguez, returned to national prominence by finishing 31-3 and No. 13 in the Rivals.com FAB 50.

Story returned to California and did not play for another high school team. Warren, meanwhile, led North Crowley to a 38-1 record and a Texas Class 5A state title and joined DeRozan on the EA SPORTS All-American first team. With a young team minus Story and Warren, Jennings set school scoring records for three-pointers in a game (13), points in a game (63), points in a season (1,312), points in a career (1,927) and single-season scoring average (35.5). Jennings also became the first-ever EA SPORTS/Student Sports Boys Basketball National Player of the Year from the famed boarding school. Jennings will be one of five boys players highlighted on this year's EA SPORTS High School All-American Television Show that will be syndicated across the country throughout the spring.